Hemet Global Medical Center drive-thru opens for COVID-19 physician-prescribed testing

Hemet Global Medical Center drive-thru opens for COVID-19 physician-prescribed testing – Valley News

 

Hemet Global Medical Center in Hemet became the first private drive-thru COVID-19 coronavirus testing center in Riverside County, bringing four drive-thru testing sites to the county since the pandemic began. The Hemet center made the announcement Tuesday, March 31, and is now open to doctor-referred patients Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to noon. As of April 3, Riverside County had four drive-thru testing centers. With limited testing kits available in the county, only those showing symptoms of COVID-19 and the elderly with underlying health conditions are being accepted for testing at the sites.

Keith Garrison, a representative from Hemet Global Medical Center, said on public media that the center was open in the Hemet and San Jacinto valley because of its large senior population, who are most prone to the infection. He said the center testing site will be closer to the seniors who may have difficulty finding transportation to other sites. “We are taking every possible measure to safeguard patients and staff, while continuing to provide the community with critical health care services they depend on,” Dr. Sumanta Chaudhuri, chief medical officer of Hemet Global Medical Center, said. “The dedication, talent and selflessness I am witnessing from our physicians and nurses gives me great confidence in our ability to overcome this challenge.” The testing process takes about 10 minutes, consisting of a nose swab by a health worker. The test results are sent to a local laboratory and made available with two to three days with the patient and doctor notified.

The Hemet Global testing hotline is (951) 765-4757; call from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. The testing center is located at 1117 E. Devonshire Ave. with the drive-thru testing entrance located off North Weston Place, between East Devonshire Avenue and East Date Street.

 

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At least 70 people infected with coronavirus linked to a single church in California, health officials say

At least 70 people infected with coronavirus linked to a single church in California, health officials say – CNN

A large and influential Russian language church near Sacramento, California, is denying it is at the center of a novel coronavirus outbreak. 

In an interview with a Sacramento television station on Thursday, Sacramento County Department of Health Services director Dr. Peter Beilenson confirmed at least 70 people at the Bethany Slavic Missionary Church were infected with Covid-19. He said he named the church “not to cast aspersions on anybody but to really hammer home the importance of not congregating, not only in church but also in prayer gatherings in people’s homes.”

It is one of the largest outbreak clusters of the virus in the US. In an archived version of last Sunday’s online service, a pastor announced at least three members of the church were infected with Covid-19. However, the church released a statement Friday saying media reports about the Covid-19 outbreak were “inaccurate and falsely place emphasis on this church.” The church also said it hadn’t been informed any of its parishioners had died as reported by a local newspaper.

 

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Over 70,000 have registered for the California Health Corps, but little is known how it will operate

Over 70,000 have registered for the California Health Corps, but little is known how it will operate

– KTLA 5

As tens of thousands of retired health care workers and medical and nursing students sign up for the newly established California Health Corps, almost nothing is known about how it will operate, how much it will cost and whether taxpayers will be liable for any malpractice.

Gov. Gavin Newsom established the corps to staff the 66,000 additional hospital rooms he said could be needed when the coronavirus outbreak peaks in California in mid-May. Within three days sign-ups topped 70,000, more than twice the estimated pool of people in the state who retired within the last five years and have active health care profession licenses.

And state officials couldn’t even estimate how many more nursing and medical students have volunteered.

So far, state officials have been unable to answer basic questions about the program’s operations and backtracked in their response to how the state will protect itself from legal liability. While participants will be paid and provided with malpractice insurance, the California Emergency Medical Services Authority said the state “has elected to be self-insured for liability exposures” and “malpractice insurance will not need to be procured.”

That’s another way of saying taxpayers could be on the hook if an inexperienced or retired medical worker does something wrong, although the volunteers will have limited immunity from liability because they are considered disaster service workers under state law. State officials haven’t said how much volunteers will be paid, how quickly they will be assigned or for how long.

 

More than 10,000 people in the US have died from coronavirus. And officials say this will be the most challenging week yet

More than 10,000 people in the US have died from coronavirus. And officials say this will be the most challenging week yet

More than 10,000 people in the US have died from coronavirus. And officials say this will be the most challenging week yet – CNN

 

In just six weeks, the US death toll from coronavirus went from zero to more than 10,000.

That grim milestone was reached Monday, shortly after officials warned this will be the toughest week yet in the pandemic.

Michigan hospitals are three to six days away from running out of critical supplies, the governor said.

Mortuaries in New Orleans are already out of space, and the mayor said she needs help getting more refrigeration. And New York, New Jersey and Detroit will see peaks in hospitalizations and deaths this week, a US Health and Human Services assistant secretary said. But the hardest-hit state, New York, said the number of deaths is not rising as sharply as it has been.

The total death toll in New York state reached 4,758 on Monday, up from 4,159 on Sunday. “While none of this is good news, the flattening — possible flattening of the curve — is better than the increases that we have seen,” Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Monday.

 

‘Stitches of Love’: VVC staff and students donate masks to local hospitals

‘Stitches of Love’: VVC staff and students donate masks to local hospitals – Victor Valley News

VICTORVILLE, Calif. — With a shortage of surgical masks across the United States because of the coronavirus, Victor Valley College staff and faculty have stepped up to help supply local hospitals with personal protective equipment (PPE).

Along with nearly 6,000 N95 masks donated by the college’s Emergency Medical Services Department, more than 200 reusable cloth masks have been sewn by VVC instructors and students. The donations are benefiting Desert Valley Hospital, St. Mary Medical Center and Victor Valley Global Medical Center.

“We recognize the valuable partnerships that our local hospitals provide for our emergency medical technician and paramedic students each semester,” said Dave Oleson, program director and department chair of VVC’s Emergency Medical Services. “Providing these masks at a time when they are in such high demand and infrequent availability is just one small way we can repay the time and effort that the nurses, physicians, respiratory therapists and allied health professionals at these three facilities give to our students during their internships.”

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SoCal Nail Salons Donate 75,000 Masks to Medical Workers

SoCal Nail Salons Donate 75,000 Masks to Medical Workers – NBC Los Angeles

There are 6,000 nail salons in Southern California, with about 30,000 technicians out of work, according to the Professional Nail Association.

Southern California nail salons are donating tens of thousands of masks and gloves to healthcare workers after closing under the state’s stay-at-home order.

A group of salons has collected about 75,000 paper masks and 280,000 gloves, supplies they usually use to protect against powders and polishes, in an initiative they’re calling “Nailing It.”

Demand for medical supplies has skyrocketed because of the coronavirus pandemic, with hospitals looking for opportunities to replenish their supply.

“I heard stories last week about nurses and doctors working in the ER and ICU without masks, so we made an effort to donate as much as we can… all of our stock we have left,” said Johnny Ngo, owner of Whale Spa.

Tam Nguyen, who runs Advance Beauty College, said his school is now closed and his graduates have no jobs. They’re not alone. There are 6,000 nail salons in Southern California, with about 30,000 technicians out of work, according to the Professional Nail Association.

But Nguyen believes they can still act – in fact, he considers donating supplies a calling for the industry.

“We connected the dots and said, ‘You know what? We can do something about this,'” he said. “When I heard [what others were doing], I wanted to be part of it.”

Nailing It organizers said most nail salons across the United States are owned by Vietnamese Americans. Besides encouraging salon owners to help, they hope to inspire other professionals, such as dentists and orthodontists who are not working, to donate supplies as well.

“In a crisis like this, we get to see kindness is amplified,” Nguyen said. “The giving nature in people and humans is unbelievable.”

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Riverside County Health Officials Recommend Widespread Face Mask Use Amid Coronavirus Pandemic

Riverside County Health Officials Recommend Widespread Face Mask Use Amid Coronavirus Pandemic – CBS Los Angeles

RIVERSIDE (CBSLA) — Riverside County health officials are now recommending residents cover their nose and mouth when leaving their homes for essential travel during the coronavirus outbreak.

According to a press release sent Tuesday, the face coverings do not have to be medical grade. Bandanas and fabric masks are acceptable alternatives.

While the county had previously not endorsed widespread face covering, the circumstances have changed, said Dr. Cameron Kaiser, Riverside County public health officer.

“When the situation changes, the rulebook changes,” Kaiser said. “We’re seeing our numbers increasing even sooner than we predicted and that means our strategy must change too. Covering your face doesn’t change the orders everyone must abide by to stay home as much as possible and maintain social distancing, but it’s an extra layer of protection that I think we need to add.”

RELATED: Riverside County Announces 80 New Coronavirus Cases, 4 Additional Deaths

Medical experts believe that transmission of COVID-19 occurs primarily through droplets from an infected individual. Fabrics and face coverings filter these droplets and helps mitigate the spread of the virus.

“When you wear a face covering, not only are you protecting yourself, you’re protecting other people from you,” said Riverside County health spokesperson Jose Arballo Jr. “Meaning, maybe you don’t know that you’re sick.”

Face coverings should be worn anytime a person is outside of their home, even in offices of essential businesses, according to the press release.

“The numbers don’t lie and we know that coronavirus is spreading and growing. However, these numbers are actual people and protecting the lives of people is all of our responsibility,” said Board Chair V. Manuel Perez, Fourth District Supervisor. “That means that flattening the curve requires another layer of aggressive protection against the virus. Please take the additional steps to cover your face.”

Riverside County officials aren’t the only ones considering asking individuals to wear masks outside of the home. CDC guidelines could soon change for other areas of the country as well, asking more people to wear fabric masks when they are leaving the house.

“The thinking behind that is really to reduce transmission,” said Dr. Sumanta Chaudhuri, Chief Medical Officer at Orange County Global Medical Center. “[The mask] may or may not have some protection does not have COVID-19, but it certainly is a good idea if the wearer has asymptomatic COVID-19.”

However, Chaudhuri advised against purchasing N95 or medical grade masks, because healthcare workers desperately need them.

Riverside County health officials also reminded residents they should only leave the home for doctor appointments, grocery shopping or pharmacy visits. Frequent hand washing, social distancing and staying home are the best ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

“Stay in your place, maintain your space and cover your face,” said Bruce Barton, director of the Riverside County Emergency Management Department.

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Drive-thru coronavirus testing coming to Hemet

Drive-thru coronavirus testing coming to Hemet

Hemet Global Medical Center will begin limited drive-thru testing for the novel coronavirus Tuesday, March 31.

The center, 1117 E. Devonshire Ave., in Hemet, will be by appointment only.

To make an appointment call 951-765-4757 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Only patients with a valid doctor’s order or symptoms of COVID-19, such as fever, cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing should make an appointment.

The testing entrance is off of North Weston Place between East Devonshire Avenue and East Date Street.

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Drive-thru coronavirus testing coming to Hemet

Drive-thru coronavirus testing coming to Hemet

Hemet Global Medical Center will begin limited drive-thru testing for the novel coronavirus Tuesday, March 31.

The center, 1117 E. Devonshire Ave., in Hemet, will be by appointment only.

To make an appointment call 951-765-4757 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Only patients with a valid doctor’s order or symptoms of COVID-19, such as fever, cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing should make an appointment.

The testing entrance is off of North Weston Place between East Devonshire Avenue and East Date Street.

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Riverside County Health Officials Recommend Widespread Face Mask Use Amid Coronavirus Pandemic

Riverside County Health Officials Recommend Widespread Face Mask Use Amid Coronavirus Pandemic

Riverside County health officials are now recommending residents cover their nose and mouth when leaving their homes for essential travel during the coronavirus outbreak.

According to a press release sent Tuesday, the face coverings do not have to be medical grade. Bandanas and fabric masks are acceptable alternatives.

While the county had previously not endorsed widespread face covering, the circumstances have changed, said Dr. Cameron Kaiser, Riverside County public health officer.

“When the situation changes, the rulebook changes,” Kaiser said. “We’re seeing our numbers increasing even sooner than we predicted and that means our strategy must change too. Covering your face doesn’t change the orders everyone must abide by to stay home as much as possible and maintain social distancing, but it’s an extra layer of protection that I think we need to add.”

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